Hedcor, the run-of-river hydropower arm of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), intensified its support to local government units (LGUs) and host communities in the province of Davao del Sur by releasing over P21.5-million worth of community shares generated from the total attributable energy sales of Sibulan A, Sibulan B, Tudaya 1, and Tudaya 2 hydro power plants last year.

Hedcor President and COO Rolando G. Pacquiao said the community shares are part of the cooperative agreement between the company and the local government to help drive local development.

"Aside from the community shares, Hedcor will be working with the (LGU) and community leaders in implementing (a) series of health, education, and livelihood projects this year, in partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation, to help spur grassroots development and invigorate partnership with the community," said Pacquiao.

Of the total amount, P6.2 million each went to the provincial government of Davao del Sur and the municipality of Santa Cruz, while an P260,000 was given to Digos City.

In addition, host barangays in Santa Cruz also received their shares, P2 million for Barangay Darong, P1.5 million for Barangay Sibulan, and P260,000 for Barangay Astorga.

As part of efforts to help preserve the rich culture and tradition of indigenous peoples (IP), community shares allocated for their development programs, such as access road openings, energization projects, tribal halls, and water systems, were also completed and turned over to the Barangay Tribal Council of Sibulan, Santa Cruz, Kapiid Ka Banua Inc., and Tudaya Falls Tribal Association.

LGU and tribal leaders alike gave assurances that the funds would be spent to further develop their respective communities.

"I assure AboitizPower and Hedcor that (the municipality of) Santa Cruz will be your solid partner today and in the years to come,” said Santa Cruz Mayor Nelson “Tata” Sala, lauding Hedcor’s advocacy of advancing business and communities.

"We will use the (grant) to purchase patient transport vehicles to further improve our services to the community during emergency cases," he added.

Meanwhile, Davao del Sur Gov. Yvonne R. Cagas said most of their shares will be prioritized for education.

"The largest portion of the (grant) will be allocated to the province's education programs because the LGU and Hedcor believe that investing in children means we are investing in our future," Cagas said.

The recent releases brought the total amount received by contiguous LGUs and IP groups to P156 million since 2010, when Hedcor started releasing the revenue shares to them.

“Hedcor strongly supports inclusive growth in its host communities (on top of) generating employment opportunities for local workers. We hope that these funds will continue to build on the progress of projects that have been created for the long term benefit of the host communities," Pacquaio said.

Hedcor is AboitizPower’s subsidiary generating renewable energy from run-of-river hydropower systems for more than 40 years, managing and operating 22 hydropower plants that generate 278-megawatts (MW) of clean and renewable energy.